Monday TeaDay 3/1/10 BEST tea ever?

[Chip]

Welcome one and all to TeaDay. Please do drop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed the positively worst tea we ever had. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is positively positive! What is the singular BEST tea you ever had the pleasure of trying, not including the random cup somewhere ... this is a tea that you either purchased or received as a gift. Details please?

I am looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.

[Mrs. Chip]

Good Monday Morning TCers!

First one that popped into my head was a mystery gyokuro that literally took my breath away. It was without a doubt the most remarkable tea and green of course, I've ever tasted! Yutaka Midori ala O-Cha is definately next in line and always at the top of my list.

Our Mod may remember more details about the gyo, it was obtained through a TC member swap, let's see what he says when he drops in!

Work started early for me today, I've already had Houroku with the Chipster at home and now enjoying Genmaicha at work.

Have a TEAriffic TeaDay everyone.
.

[RachelC]

It was a Gyokuro. It was great hot and iced. I could drink it in replacement of water. Yummy!

[AdamMY]

I happened to be gifted a sample of Late 80's 8582 Sheng puerh.

Wow, I dare say that was spectacular! It was a rather surprising and eye opening tea for sure.

[depravitea]

I'm going to have to go with these little Menghai pu tuos I've been getting. I've been drinking the heck out of them all winter. I don't know if it's the BEST TEA EVER, but it's my favorite right now





Pretty sure I've posted these before. Sorry for the repeat.

[artmom]

Well, I have to go with the gift my "adopted" Japanese son gave me when he visited me this past Thanksgiving, (after 32 years) -- Mariage Freres Marco Polo "mystery" tea. It is a black tea, and I assume it is flavored with something to provide the fantastic floral and fruit "notes" that it produces. But it tastes like no other "flavored" tea that I have had.
It has the briskness of a good black, the smoothness I treasure, and is absolutely delicious! He and his wife, both Japanese, say that this is their favorite tea. I had actually expected he'd bring me some green tea.

Now that I've written about it, I'll just have to have some MF Marco Polo right now!

[Mrs. Chip]

Artmom, love your new 'avie'! Boy, Barclay is a cutie.
I would love to do a "fam" photo of our catz ..... but don't think the 'phone camera' would be definitive enough to portray all their faces.

Currently getting ready to brew Yunnan Noir from Adagio. This is one of my fave blacks from Adagio. Nice flavor to end the morning.

Next sharing a tea w/DH!

[TubbyCow]

Today it's a toss-up between Norbu's Diamond Grade Anxi Ti Guan Yin and California Tea House's Silver Needle. I'll go with the Silver Needle by a hair because it's so far and above any other teas of the type I have had, it's ruined them for me forever.

[artmom]

Thanks, Mrs. Chip! I'd love to see your kittie family, too.

Enjoyed my MF Marco Polo; then had a very nice cup of Golden Monkey. I'm expecting a tea delivery today or tomorrow.

[olivierco]

I would say a gyokuro, Tsuru Jiru Shi or Yume no Ukihashi gyokuro (but I have still many other gyokuros to try).

Kanro gyokuro in a few minutes.

[Mrs. Chip]

Thanks, Mrs. Chip! I'd love to see your kittie family, too.

Enjoyed my MF Marco Polo; then had a very nice cup of Golden Monkey. I'm expecting a tea delivery today or tomorrow.

WhatCha getting?

And ... you are quite welcome! We do have a few pictures of one of our kitties, Fuji down under Miscellany/Pets, check 'em out. And yes, there is a story behind his face!

Wow, I have more posts than Chip today so far, he better get a move on.

[edkrueger]

Gyokuro here, too. Probably Ippodo Tenka-ichi. Tired. Grammar function broken.

[Skippyandjif]

I'd have to say my favorite so far has been a pu-erh brick that I bought in NYC's Chinatown, although it is basically tied for that position with Bi Lo Chun, Longjing, Assam with rose petals, and Thai tea... I just love tea.

Right now, I'm recovering from an excessive amount of comic-drawing with some looseleaf blended oolong and jasmine green tea. It's not making my wrist uncramp, but at least it's tasty!

[RachelC]

Right now, I'm recovering from an excessive amount of comic-drawing with some looseleaf blended oolong and jasmine green tea. It's not making my wrist uncramp, but at least it's tasty!

Cool, are you a professional cartoon artist? If so would we know any of your work? Just sounds so interesting. I am big fan of cartoons but normally those on TV. Although of course I do enjoy the occassional comic book as well.

[debunix]

Can't make it just one. Narrowed it down to these three by thinking about those times when I am craving a particular tea, and have to 'settle' for something else, because the big beeng is at work or the reserve package is at home, and I'm in the wrong place. These are the ones that I come closest to dreaming about.

It's a three-way tie between:

Spring 2009 Diamond Grade Tie Guan Yin from Norbu, a gorgeous green oolong with sweetness that just keeps going for an incredible number of infusions;

also from Norbu, his 2007 White Bud Sheng Puerh which is smoky and earthy and more than a little reminiscent of a fine silver needle tea (which indeed is what the brewed tea leaves look like, little silver needle-shaped fuzzy buds, although their color is browner);

and Honey Orchid Phoenix Oolong from Tea Habitat, that just keeps going and going for an amazing number of infusions, I get tired before the tea leaves do.

I haven't yet got a clear favorite among green teas, having just made my green-tea breakthrough pretty recently; and while I drink a fair bit of darker roasted oolongs and earthier ripe and sheng puerhs, none of these have been separated themselves out as worthy of daydreams like the three above.